The Living Fields: Our Agricultural Heritage

Description

All civilizations, ancient and modern, are founded on agriculture. In this fascinating account of one of the most fundamental aspects of humankind's march from prehistory to the present day, the author considers the evidence for the origin and evolution of agriculture in various parts of the world and presents a balanced view based on the archaeology, botany, genetics, ecology and anthropology of domesticates and their wild relatives. The book describes the basic agricultural systems that emerged from areas yielding traces of the earliest plant and animal domestication and considers their drastic modification in recent times. The present situation is reviewed and the possible risks of a system that now relies on a relatively small number of species to supply the majority of our food are discussed in a concluding chapter. This book will interest professionals in the fields of agriculture, archaeology, and anthropology.

'... for all who wish to understand more fully the relations between humans and the plants, animals and environments on which they depend for life and survival, it will be a welcome and attractive introduction.' A. H. Bunting, Journal of Agricultural Science '... an extensive survey of the world's food crops ... The book is no dull academic treatise. The author genuinely appears to want to inform and the style is refreshing and readable.' Marion Ericsson-Nolan, Environmental Education and Information 'The book is well illustrated and easy to read. It must have great appeal to the student of agriculture, the geographer and for farmers with a deep interest in the origins of his or her profession.' Agriculture and Equipment International